Ms. Croce’s
Honors Accelerated Chemistry
Hi … Ms. Croce
Nice to meet U !!!
From Washington DC
Degrees in Biology and Chemistry
Attended several Colleges:
“Ole Miss”
Texas A&M
California State University
“Fresno State”
Worked in Industry
Have enjoyed teaching for the past 15
years !!!
Course Purpose
To introduce students to the fundamentals of
chemistry and the interaction of matter and energy.
To improve students ability to analyze and
understand scientific problems
To Recognize Chemistry in their daily lives.
To communicate the understanding of chemistry to
others using written, oral and graphical
communication techniques.
Why Chemistry is important!
Chemistry Facilitator
Guide students to understanding
Make “Chemistry” Relevant
Create a “Love” for Learning
“Education is what remains after one has
forgotten everything he learned in school.”
Einstein
Holistic Approach:
I HEAR and I FORGET
I SEE and I REMEMBER
I DO and I UNDERSTAND
“The whole of science in nothing
more than a refinement of
everyday thinking.” Einstein
Inquiry; minds want to know!
A new way of Thinking
Inquiry Based
Basic Themes
Main Ideas
“Think
OUTSIDE
The
Box”
Textbook
Required Material
A three ring binder designated for
Chemistry ONLY!
A one inch binder for Labs
A composition notebook
2 Color Brad Folders
Chemistry atoms first
Second Edition
Burdge / Overby
Calculator – must bring calculator to
class!!!!
ASSESSMENT:
Grading:
The grading scale is consistent with MUS policy.
Quarter Grade: Calculated based on a total point system
Points Earned
x 100
Total Points Available
Semester Grade:
[ (.375 x Q1) + (.375 x Q2) + ( .25 x Semester Exam) ]
Graded work is returned and placed in “Graded work folder”
Please check it regularly to assess your son’s progress.
Graded Work Folder
Your son is responsible for:
Your son should
know his grade at all
times!!!!
Graded work folder:
Keeping up with his assignments.
Keeping all graded work and
evaluating his mistakes.
Making TEST corrections
Do you know what your son’s daily
commitments are?
Homework?
FYI: In the Upper school your son
has at LEAST 4 hours of homework
daily.
YOUR SON HAS
HOMEWORK!!!
ALMOST 50 minutes a night for
Chemistry!!!!
Homework is NOT optional!!!
No homework – No free period
Homework:
The purpose of homework is for the student to practice
problems and prepare his mind for new concepts.
• Homework will be taken up randomly and will be graded on
presentation, solution method, and correctness of
information. Assessment may be over selected problems or
the entire assignment.
Notes should be reviewed Nightly
… there is always homework!
Announced in class
Assignment Grabber
Office Door
Practice for Success!!!
Homework is
PRACTICE and at
MUS the boys are
expected to be all they
can be…. So encourage
them to practice their
chemistry nightly!!!!
No Procrastination !
No Excuses!!!
Labs:
Chemistry Notebook
• Laboratory participation and completion of labs is an
important component of the class.
Both labs and participation are assessed.
•
•
Students must be prepared for labs.
All labs should be read and
pre-labs completed BEFORE entering the lab.
No unauthorized experiments!
Special Projects and Folders:
Article Folder :
Literary Reviews of articles
The purpose of article readings is to enforce the concepts studied in
class and to bring awareness to the importance of Chemistry in our
lives.
Projects:
Graded based on a rubric.
The purpose of projects is strengthening skills and improves students’
ability to understand chemistry. Expect one or two small projects each
quarter and one major project each semester. All projects will be
turned in on time no exceptions.
Projects are not accepted late.
Following directions, neatness and originality are considerations.
“Everyone Learns Differently!
CHEM IS TRY !!!
Hints for Success:
BE PREPARED for class and Lab
STUDY A LITTLE EVERY NIGHT
READ THE TEXT -- Actively-FOLLOW DIRECTIONS !!!
ORGANIZATION:
Article Folder
Class Notebook – folder with graded work.
Lab Notebook
DO ALL HOMEWORK – “work problems”
STUDY BUDDIES
SEE ME
Office Hours
If your son feels he is drowning
…..
“Encourage him to see
me!”
• I have an open door policy
… IF my door is open
students are welcome!
• Free Periods 2nd, 4th and 7th
• I am available before and
after school
• Appointments are helpful
A Choice
Questions Anyone??
If you think of anything …..
……Please feel free to contact me
anytime about your son’s progress
.
“The most beautiful thing we
can experience is the
mysterious.
It is the source of all true art and all
science. He to whom this emotion is a
stranger, who can no longer pause to
wonder and stand rap in awe, is as good as
dead: his eyes are closed.”
Albert Einstein